The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-10
coon DEEDS ny CoSeR Ess.

coon DEEDS BY CONGRESS-.
There was work done by the last
Congress that will be OF lasting bene'
Ct to this country, and whatever the
shortcomings may be, it is pleasant
to know that work Of permanent
value has been accomplished. The
act regulating the presidential Success
sion will save the country from a great
difficulty to which 1t has always been
liable. Hitherto, II from any cause,
both the President and Vice Presi-
dent, were from sny cause unable to
perform their duties, the President Of
the Senate became the acting Presi-
dent, or In the absence Of such an
officer, the Speaker OF the House. II
such Speaker should happen.to be OF
the opposite party to the one that had
chosen the President, it is evident
that the affairs OF the country would
bS presided over by a man represent
ing views the majority Of the people
were opposed 10. Congress Las saved
the people from such a state Of
things, by providing that the
Secretary Of State shall become
acting President in case such an officer
be required-;r, failing him, the other
Cabinet officers in the order OF their
rank-and hold the place for the re-
msinder Of the term. This makes an
extra election unnecessary, yet pre-
serves power in the hands Of the par
ty preferred by the people. Fully Of
equal importance was the bill for
@ iunting the electoral vote. Thus far
Congress-, the two houses acting to-
gether, decided the count. If, in an
extremely exciting election, the'e had
come a vote 80 close as to render it
uncertain vino was elected, hot blood.
some time or other, would have
caused an appeal to arms. That such
On uncertainty can arise was seen in
President Hsyes's election. The law
Congress has nov enacted requires
each State to do it's own counting, the
decisions OF The State tribunals being
accepted as final. II, however, more
than one return is made, that
OF the Secretary Of the State
will be accepted, unless the two
houses. acting separately, shall agree
in deciding that 1t does not give the
lawful vote Of the Slate. The third
Of excellent legislation by the
last Congress was the repeal Of "the
tenure of Office act" II was always
the custom for the President to re-
move from Office when he considered
such removal Of a particular off ii
necessary. When Congress became
dissatisfied with President Johnson, il
curbed this power, 80 that the Presi'
dent might suspend an officer, but
could not remove him without the con
sent OF the Senate. 1t is evident that
II the President is to repress irregu
larity among the officials he must hav'
the power OF removing them. 1t \
also evident that a power was given Il
the Senate not conferred by the con
stitution. The last Congress, there
fore, did a meritorious act in repeal
ing a law which was adopted only fol
a temporary purpose. 1t is a pity 81
good q record was marred by thu
passage Of the psuper pension act
but Congress relieved itself OF tina
discredit by acquiescing in the Presi
dents veto. The failure Of Congress
in face Of platform pledges by each o
the two parties, to take action oil
the subject OF tariff reform, is diecred
table to it. For this the Republican
are mainly to be blamed, three fourth
Of the Democrats desiring reform
The repeal OF the tenure Of office &C
WAS opposed in each house by most o
the Republicans, aud the sustaining o
tho Presidents veto wss entirely du
to the votes Of the Democrats. Tn
New York Posi- is by nc means ,o'
friendly toward the Democrats, but
does not hesitate to say frankly; IRE
publican organs will berate the Demo
cratic House for Its '%inefiCier Cyl an
1t deserves plenty of such censure, bu
In common fairness II must be remem
bered that the country owes the goo
work of the session to the n Amocrati
House In far greater measure than Il
the Republican Senate"